Dumas Beach

Dumas Beach is a black-sand shoreline on the Arabian Sea at Dumas, about 21 km south-west of Surat in Gujarat. The dark sand, formed from volcanic and iron-rich sediments carried by the rivers, gives the beach an appearance unlike the pale beaches of the Indian coast, and the wide, flat expanse is popular with Surat residents seeking an easy escape from the city. The beach is known for its sunsets, with the sun dropping over the open sea, and for a row of street-food stalls selling local snacks such as bhajiya, corn, pani puri and tea. It is also known locally for ghost stories, which have given the place an eerie reputation after dark, and the beach is often quiet outside peak evening hours. Swimming is not advisable because of strong currents and shifting tides, so most visitors paddle at the edge, walk along the shore, take photographs of the black sand and watch the sunset. Horse and camel rides and cart rides are commonly offered to families. A typical visit lasts two to three hours, and late afternoon to sunset between October and March is the most pleasant time, as temperatures are mild and the light is soft. Weekends and holidays draw large crowds, particularly in the evening, while weekday mornings are the quietest. The monsoon from June to September brings rough seas and strong winds, making the beach unsafe and many stalls close. Gujarat Tourism lists the beach as open from dawn to dusk, and visitors are generally advised to leave by dusk. No ticket is required, and the beach lies 18 to 23 km from the city, reachable by app cab or auto-rickshaw in 40 to 60 minutes.